Monday, February 7, 2011

Broken Heart Chocolate Cookies

Happy Valentines Day!!

Years ago, when I was a new bride, there was an Alka Seltzer commercial that was quite popular. It was about another new bride who makes her husband a heart shaped marshmallow meatloaf. When I think of Valentines Day, I sometimes think of that commercial. I have never tried the marshmallow version of meatloaf however, somewhere in the back of my head, I do seem to remember trying a heart shaped meatloaf for Valentines Day! I don't remember it getting rave reviews so, these days I stick to cakes and cookies. I am a chocoholic and love these chocolate cookies. They are so rich and chocolatey with a bite of pepper and cinnamon. I have been making them since my kids were in high school. When they left for college I would always send them in care packages for Valentines Day. The recipe comes from Martha Stewart's "Hors d'Oeuvres" cookbook. They are one of our favorites and I now make them for my grandchildren. Last year I received my very best compliment ever! My 6 year old granddaughter, after receiving her cookies, called to tell me that, "me and mommy think you're the best baker ever". I might have sent her heart shaped cookies but she melted my heart!

Broken Heart Chocolate Cookies

3/4 lb. unsalted butter (3 sticks)

1 3/4 cups sugar

2 eggs, lightly beaten

3 cups flour

1 1/2 cups cocoa

1/4 teaspoon salt

1/3 teaspoon ground pepper

1/8 teaspoon cayenne pepper

1 teaspoon cinnamon

4 to 6 oz. semisweet chocolate, melted

Cream together the butter and sugar. Add the eggs and beat until fluffy. Sift the dry ingredients together.

Stir them into the butter mixture and beat until well incorporated. If mixture seems to soft you could add up to a 1/4 cup more flour. Divide the dough into thirds and wrap in plastic wrap. Chill well, at least 1 hour.

Preheat oven to 375°

On a well floured surface, roll out the dough to 1/8 inch thick. Cut into hearts or your desired shapes with cookie cutters. Place cookies on a parchment lined or greased cookie sheet. To make broken heart cut zigzag into cookie..while baking cookie will separate slightly. To look like a broken heart.

Bake 8 to 10 minutes. Let cool on racks. When the cookies are cooled, drizzle some of the chocolate over each cookie.